The Blessings of the New Covenant
A Sermon on Covenant Blessings
Originally preached Nov. 20, 1953
Scripture
Sermon Description
What are the results and consequences of the atonement? In this sermon on covenant blessings, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explores the new covenant made on Calvary by the blood of Jesus Christ. Dr. Lloyd-Jones returns back to the Old Testament laws and sacrifices that give the context for the New Testament’s teaching on this saving decree and the significance of Jesus Christ as the Savior and High Priest. Dr. Lloyd-Jones also deals with the issue of antinomianism and how the everlasting covenant under Jesus dispels wrong thinking. Clear thinking on the new covenant fills the believer with boldness, assurance, and confidence in their access to God. When God’s children are unified with Christ, His forgiveness of sins is applied to their account and they live in ongoing joy and peace before Him.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon begins by reminding the audience that in the previous sermon, two immediate consequences of Christ's death on the cross were discussed: Its effect on God's relationship with sinful humanity and its effect on heaven itself.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones then introduces the topic of this sermon: further consequences and results of Christ's death on the cross. Specifically, the ratification of the new covenant and the blessings that come from it.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the new covenant was ratified by the shedding of Christ's blood on the cross, as evidenced by several passages from Hebrews, the words of Jesus at the Last Supper, and Paul's words about communion. The old covenants were also ratified by blood, as evidenced by God's covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones then discusses the blessings of the new covenant that come to believers as a result of Christ's death:
- The forgiveness of sins, once and for all. Our sins are blotted out and God remembers them no more.
- New access to God and a cleansed conscience. We can approach God with boldness, through Christ's blood.
- We are no longer under the law but under grace. The law is written on our hearts, not just external tables of stone. God works in us to will and to do his good pleasure.
- Our salvation and continuance in the faith are guaranteed. Christ "saves to the uttermost" - he doesn't just begin the work but completes it.
- We can have assurance of salvation. Christ has "perfected forever" those who are sanctified, so we can have boldness and confidence.
- Dr. Lloyd-Jones expresses passion for this topic and a desire for the audience to experience these blessings personally through faith in Christ.
Great Biblical Doctrines
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.